1. Sandra Cash
Lab Review 30
1. This Laboratory studies organisms at what level of organization? Ecosystems
2. Give an example of an abiotic component of an ecosystem. Soil, water, and light
3. Give an example of a biotic component of an ecosystem.
4. Which type of consumer feeds directly on green plants? Herbivores
5. Which type of consumer feeds on both plants and animals? Omnivores
6. If your assigned ecosystem contains plankton, it is most likely which type of
ecosystem? Aquatic
7. Which type of ecosystem contains decomposers? Terrestrial
8. In a forest ecosystem, what type of organisms are the predominant producers?
Green plants
9. What is the role of a producer? A producer produces its own food, they are also at
the bottom of the food chain, they provide food for consumers. Without
producers, an ecosystem could not sustain itself.
10. Give an example of a consumer in a terrestrial ecosystem. Owl
11. In an aquatic ecosystem, what type of organisms are the predominant producers?
Algae
12. Give an example of a consumer in an aquatic ecosystem. Heron
13. What type of organisms are the predominant decomposers in an ecosystem?
Bacteria, fungi and millipedes
14. What does a decomposer take in for nutrients? Detritus
15. How do phytoplankton differ from zooplankton? phytoplankton are autotrophs
and zooplankton are heterotrophs
Thought Questions
16. What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is the biological community together with the associated abiotic
environment; characterized by energy flow and chemical cycling.
17. What is the role of a decomposers in an ecosystem?
Decomposers are organisms of decomposition, such as bacteria, fungi, and
millipedes, which break down detritus to inorganic matter, which can be used
again by producers. In this way, the same chemical elements are constantly
recycled in an ecosystem.
18. Explain how a significant change in temperature or pH might affect the biotic
components of an ecosystem.
A change in the pH will affect the kinds of plants that will survive best in an area.
The temperature even complicates things further, if there is a permanent change in
the temperature flora can change relatively quickly. With the change in flora
comes a change in fauna. The insects and other herbivores that feed on the new
plant types move into the area along with their predators. This is all because of pH
and temperature changes.